Sights in Minnesota
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Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The 7-acre Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, studded with contemporary works, like the oft-photographed Spoonbridge & Cherry by Claes Oldenburg. The garden is connected to attractive Loring Park by a sculptural pedestrian bridge over I-94.
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Minneapolis Institute of Arts
The fabulous Minneapolis Institute of Arts houses a veritable history of art, with a whopping modern and contemporary collection. The Prairie School and Asian galleries are also highlights.
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University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, by the river southeast of Minneapolis' center, is one of the USA's largest campuses, with over 50,000 students. Most of the campus is in the East Bank neighborhood. A uni highlight is the Weisman Art Museum (www.weisman.umn.edu; 333 E River Rd), which occupies a swooping silver structure by architect Frank Gehry. Works inside include early 20th-century American paintings. Dinkytown, based at 14th Ave SE and 4th St SE, is dense with student cafés and bookshops.
The University of Minnesota at Minneapolis, straddling both banks of the Mississippi River, is one of the USA's largest campuses with over 55,000 students. The university was founded in…
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Chain of Lakes
- Minneapolis, USA
- Sights › Lake
Uptown is a convenient jump-off point to the Chain of Lakes - ie Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet and Cedar Lake. It seems all of Minneapolis is out frolicking by the water - not surprising, really, since this is known as the 'city of lakes.' Paved cycling paths (which double as cross-country ski trails in winter) meander around the four lakes, where you can go boating in summer or ice-skating in winter.
The Lake Calhoun kiosk (base of Lake St) rents canoes, kayaks and paddleboats for around US$15 per hour. Thomas Beach, also on Lake Calhoun, is popular for swimming.
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St Anthony Falls Heritage Trail
At the north edge of downtown at the foot of Portland Ave is the St Anthony Falls Heritage Trail, a recommended 2-mile path that provides both interesting history (markers dot the route) and the city's best access to the banks of the Mississippi River. View the cascading falls from the car-free Stone Arch Bridge. On the north side of the river, Main St SE has a stretch of redeveloped buildings housing restaurants and bars.
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Mill City Museum
The building is indeed a former mill, and highlights include a ride inside an eight-story grain elevator ('the Flour Tower'), Betty Crocker exhibits and a baking lab. It's a bit dull unless you're really into milling history. The Mill City Farmer's Market takes place in the museum's attached train shed; cooking demos fire up at 10am.
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Guthrie Theater & Endless Bridge
Definitely head next door to the cobalt-blue Guthrie Theater and make your way up to its 'Endless Bridge' - a cantilevered walkway overlooking the river. You don't need a theater ticket - it's intended as a public space - though see a show if you can, as the Guthrie is one of the Midwest's finest companies. Next door is spiraling Gold Medal Park.
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Schubert Club Museum
The Schubert Club Museum has a brilliant collection of old pianos and harpsichords - some tickled by Mozart, Beethoven and the like - in the basement. It displays old manuscripts and letters from famous composers on the 2nd floor. A free wood-turning museum (it's a decorative form of woodworking) is also on the 2nd floor.
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Mary Tyler Moore statue
Nicollet Mall is the pedestrian-friendly portion of Nicollet Ave in the heart of downtown, dense with stores, bars and restaurants. It's perhaps most famous as the spot where Mary Tyler Moore (of 70s TV fame) threw her hat into the air during the show's opening sequence. A cheesy Mary Tyler Moore statue depicts our girl doing just that.
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St Paul Curling Club
Stop in and watch the action just across the Mississippi at the St Paul Curling Club. For those uninitiated in northern ways, curling is a winter sport that involves sliding a hubcab-sized 'puck' down the ice toward a bulls-eye. While you might not understand it at first, it's fun to see the 'pitcher' scream at the frantic ice brushers.
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Cathedral of St Paul
The Cathedral of St Paul presides over the city from its hilltop perch and marks the attractive Summit-Selby neighborhood. This wealthy 19th- century district, now ethnically mixed, is well worth an afternoon stroll. Follow Summit Avenue, which has a fine string of Victorian houses.
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Julian H Sleeper House
A visit to the privately owned Julian H Sleeper House lets you see how the upper crust really lived. The place is filled with chandeliers, oriental carpets and decorative arts from the late 19th century. The owner is a colorful storyteller and will show you his antique postcard collection and other weird stuff.
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Voyageurs National Park
In the 17th century, French-Canadian fur traders, or voyageurs, began exploring the Great Lakes and northern rivers by canoe. Voyageurs National Park covers part of their customary waterway, which became the border between the USA and Canada.
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Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic, attracts medical patients and practitioners from around the world. Free 90-minute tours (at 10am weekdays) and a film outline the Mayo brothers' story and describe how the clinic developed its cutting-edge reputation.
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William A Irvin
The mighty William A Irvin is a 610ft Great Lakes freighter. The hour-long tour also includes a look aboard a Coastguard ice cutter (although this may become a separate attraction with its own admission fee in the near future).
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Fort Snelling
The Fort Snelling is the state's oldest structure, established in 1820 as a frontier outpost in the remote Northwest Territory. Guides in period dress show restored buildings and reenact pioneer life.
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Science Museum of Minnesota
The Science Museum of Minnesota has the usual hands-on kids' exhibits and Omnimax theater ($5 extra). Adults will be entertained by the wacky quackery of the 4th floor's 'questionable medical devices.
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Minnesota Children's Museum
The Minnesota Children's Museum has the usual gamut of hands-on activities, as well as a giant anthill to burrow through, and the 'One World' intercultural community where kids can shop and vote.
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Minnesota Zoo
Minnesota Zoo in suburban Apple Valley, which is 20 miles south of town. It has naturalistic habitats for its 400-plus species, with an emphasis on cold-climate creatures. Parking is $5.
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Walker Art Center
The first-class Walker Art Center has a strong permanent collection of 20th-century art and photography, including big-name US painters and great US pop art.
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Weisman Art Museum
The Weisman Art Museum, which occupies a swooping silver structure by architect Frank Gehry. Works inside include early 20th-century American paintings.
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Leif Erikson Park
The Leif Erikson Park is a lakefront sweet spot with a rose garden, replica of Leif's Viking ship and free outdoor movies each Friday night in summer.
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Great Lakes Aquarium
The Great Lakes Aquarium is one of the country's few freshwater aquariums. Highlights include the daily stingray feedings at 2pm and the otter tanks.
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Hibbing Public Library
The Hibbing Public Library has well-done Dylan displays and a free walking tour map that takes you past various sites.
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Mill City Farmer's Market
- Minneapolis, USA
- Sights › Farm
On Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, the Mill City Farmer's Market takes place in the Mill City museum's attached train shed.
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